Dyrehavsbakken

History

The origins of Dyrehavsbakken can be traced back to 1583 when Kirsten Piil discovered a natural spring in what is now known as Jægersborg Dyrehave or Dyrehaven, a large forest park north of Copenhagen. Residents of Copenhagen were attracted to the spring water due to the poor water quality in central Copenhagen during this period. Many believed the natural spring to have curative properties, and therefore Piil's discovery drew large crowds, especially in the springtime. These large crowds attracted entertainers and hawkers, whose presence are the origins of the amusement park today.

For a period the area that the spring was located on was not open to the public, due to it being on royal hunting grounds. In 1669, King Frederick III decided to set up an animal park in the area, and his son Christian V expanded the park to 3–4 times its original size after becoming king in 1670. The area was named Jægersborg Dyrehave, its present name, in 1671. The park was off-limits to the public until 1756, under Frederick V.

Open to the general public once again, Dyrehavsbakken began to flourish. Entertainers, hawkers, and innkeepers returned to the area, and Bakken's growing reputation throughout Europe attracted other entertainers and artists, including Pjerrot, a clown who still is a fixture at the park today. The park continued to grow even throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Its popularity was later aided by easier accessibility due to the development of steamships in 1820 and railroads in 1864, as well as publicity from poets and authors.

As the popularity of Bakken grew, its conditions worsened. As a result, some of the business owners, or tent owners as they are still called today, created the Dyrehavsbakken Tent Owners' Association of 1885. The association improved garbage collection, restroom facilities, water supply, publicity, and helped bring electricity to the park. The association is still around today, and all businesses operating in the park are required to join.

The entertainment options also improved over time. Cabarets such as Sansouci, which opened in 1866, and Bakkens Hvile, which opened in 1877, became increasingly popular. The 20th century brought other ventures, such as the Circus Revue and automated moving rides. Over time, more modern rides and entertainment options have been introduced.

Rides

Bakken may have started as a place to get clean spring water, but today it is a thriving amusement park filled with modern rides and amenities. Bakken is home to five roller coasters, the most famous of which is Rutschebanen (), a wooden roller coaster open since 1932. It was deemed a Coaster Classic by the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) until the end of the 2009 season, after which the trains were updated and the brakemen who rode along to control the speed were retired, leading ACE to rescind its Classic status. The park is also home to dozens of other amusements and smaller rides suited for all ages.

Roller coasters

Other rides

Each of the rides requires a certain number of coupons:

• Afro Cupsspinning cups (4 coupons)
• Bumper Carsbumper cars (81)
• Crazy Theaterindoor laser shoot-out (6 coupons)
• Enterpriseenterprise spinner (5 coupons)
• Extremegiant swing (6 coupons)
• 5D Cinemashows 4 different movies, each about 10–12 minutes long (8 coupons)
• Ghost Trainindoor ghost train (5 coupons)
• Gyngena Zamperla Happy Swing that opened in 2024 (7 coupons)
• Hullabaloofunny house (4 coupons)
• Jungle Boatsboats and water shooting (4 coupons)
• Polyppolyp spinner (5 coupons)
• Rodeobanenbumper cars (8 coupons)
• Safaridark ride laser shoot out (5 coupons)
• Samba Towerair carousel (4 coupons)
• Svæveflyveren Zamperla WindstarZ relocated from Emerald Park in 2024 (8 coupons)
• Spinning Carhovercraft ride (4 coupons)
• SRVsimulator ride (4 coupons)
• Swan Stationaerial swan ride (5 coupons)
• Tidsmaskinena Zamperla NebulaZ, installed for the 2021 season (8 coupons)
• Tower Thrilla 30m-tall drop tower (6 coupons)
• Water Cannonwater shoot out on boats (5 coupons)
• Viking Ship Dragonswinging Viking ship (5 coupons)
• Water Slidea log flume ride. Travels a 390 m course and has two drops on the way (5 coupons)

Children's rides

• Bin Expressroundabout (4 coupons)
• Børne Ferris Wheelmini Ferris wheel (4 coupons)
• Carouselchildren's carousel (3 coupons)
• Hip Hopmini drop tower (4 coupons)
• Jeepon track jeep ride (3 coupons)
• Klatrejunglechallenge course
• Little Trainsmini train ride (4 coupons)
• Mini Dumpocircular ride (3 coupons)
• Santa's Obstacle Courseplay area

Shows

• Bakkens Hvilecabaret show
• Circus Revuerevue show from 19 May to 27 August
• Pjerrot the Clownthe park's mascot
• Bakken Animalsanimal show

Former attractions

Other attractions

Bakken contains many other entertainment options in addition to rides. This includes seven different gaming halls that have carnival-style games, slot machines, and dancing. The park's mascot, Pjerrot the clown, performs every day for young children. The park is also home to Bakkens Hvile music hall, where cabarets are common, as well as the Circus Revue, a live circus-style performance. There are also live music performances in lounges and bars across the park on a regular basis.

The park is home to dozens of restaurants of several types and price ranges. The style of the restaurants ranges from street food vendors, to buffets, to fancier restaurants. The type of food represented ranges from standard amusement park fare, such as hamburgers and cotton candy, to traditional Danish cuisine, such as Pølser (Danish hot dogs), Æbleskiver (Danish popovers), and Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), to many other types of international cuisine. Bakken also contains numerous bars and lounges, where popular Danish beers such as Carlsberg and Tuborg are served.

Operation

Bakken is open daily from the end of March through the end of August. Entrance into the park area is free of charge, but rides and attractions require payment. Prices depend on the ride or attraction. Discounted coupons, wristbands, and season passes can also be purchased.

Gallery

Image:Dyrehavsbakken.jpg|Near the entrance of Rutschebanen Image:Bakken water ride.jpg|Water ride Image:Dyrehavsbakken 2.jpg|Various restaurants and attractions Image:Bakken exit sign.jpg|Exit sign

References

References

1. (2015-03-08). "The history of Bakken".
2. "Oldest amusement park in operation".
3. (2009-02-25). "Top 25 Attractions in Denmark".
4. "ACE Coaster Classic Awards".
5. "ACE Coaster Classic Awards".
6. "Dillen - Bakken".
7. Sansens, Jonathan. "Thrillride uit Bakken gaat naar Nederlandse kermissen in 2024".
8. (September 6, 2020). "Racing comes to an end at Bakken".
9. "Welcome to Dyrehavsbakken".
10. "Bakken: Prices".